Integrated transportation and land-use program to improve metropolitan freight system performance

Efficient freight transportation is a key element for the economic growth and sustainability of metropolitan areas. In the United States, 80% of products are manufactured in these areas. Essentially, freight transportation systems move supplies from points of production to points of consumption, helping connect supply and demand in local, regional, national, and international markets. However, in fulfilling this role, freight transportation generates a considerable quantity of negative externalities. Now more than ever, given the rise of e-commerce, rapid urbanization rates, and the threat of climate change, it is essential that transportation and land-use policy makers—and practitioners—improve the efficiency of supply chains. This chapter presents a holistic urban freight transportation and land-use management and planning process that seeks to exploit the synergies between transportation and land-use management and planning. Next, the chapter provides a brief overview of the wide spectrum of initiatives that can promote supply chain efficiency and minimize the externalities generated by freight transportation.